PUTRAJAYA – Despite calls from certain quarters for the Pardons Board to disclose its reasons behind former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s sentence reduction, Communications Minister Fahmi Fadzil said the board is not required to do so.
“The cabinet did not discuss the need for the Pardons Board to make any statement. Usually, the board does not make such comments or statements about its decisions.
“There has not been (such disclosure) before this,” he said during a press conference at his ministry here, after the weekly cabinet meeting today.
Fahmi referred to an article written by constitutional expert Prof Emeritus Datuk Shad Saleem Faruqi on the matter, which said Pardons Board discussions are confidential.
Last Friday, the Pardons Board secretariat for the Federal Territories of Kuala Lumpur, Labuan and Putrajaya announced that Najib‘s sentence was reduced from 12 years to six, while his fine was lowered from RM210 million to RM50 million.
Should Najib fail to pay the fine, he would have to serve an additional year in prison in default.
The decision was met with mixed reactions, including disappointment by Najib’s daughter, Nooryana Najwa, who insisted on a full pardon and immediate release from prison.
Meanwhile, former Umno Supreme Council member Isham Jalil claimed that party leaders in the unity government had deceived the people, while youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh suggested that his party comrades had been “played” by the government’s leadership.
Former Damansara MP Tony Pua also made a series of social media posts mocking the sentence reduction, leading to Bukit Aman summoning him over allegations of sedition. – February 7, 2024